Italy-based midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu says it is a privilege to captain the Ghana national team for Tuesday's friendly against Canada in Washington.
The Udiense star has been confirmed as the captain for the Black Stars for the game to be played at DC United's stadium, one of the biggest in America.
The ball-battling midfielder returns to the squad after missing September’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in the 2017 AFCON qualifier and has been handed the armband due to the unavailability of substantive captain Asamoah Gyan and vice Andre Ayew who are both missing the game with injuries.
GHANAsoccernet.com revealed on Saturday morning that the midfielder will be leading the Ghana side into the friendly and coach Avram Grant has confirmed.
Badu, who turns 25 in December, will wear the armband in the absence of Gyan and Ayew and will lead the charges in the friendly after demonstrating leadership qualities in the team in previous times.
"I think this is not the first time I will be captaining the team. I captained the team in our qualifying game against Togo in Ghana,†the Udinese midfield supremo said.
"It is always a privilege to captain a team like this. We missed our captain Asamoah Gyan and vice captain Dede Ayew so I have to take control of everything."
He made his debut for the Black Stars in June 2008 in a game against Lesotho and has gone ahead to make 62 appearances, scoring 10 goals on the road.
His goal for Ghana against Guinea at the 2012 AFCON was nominated for FIFA’s Puskas Best Goal of the Year which Colombian Radamel Falcao won.
Ghana coach Avram Grant has named four debutants including MLS duo of Lloyd Sam and Kwadwo Poku who play for New York Red Bulls and New York City FC respectively.
Germany-based Philemon Ofosu-Ayeh who plays for Bundesliga II side Eintracht Braunschweig and former Asante Kotoko defender Gideon Baah have all been handed places in the squad to fight for places.
Sassuolo midfielder Alfred Duncan gets another chance to impress in the Black Stars after the Italy-based enforcer had a previous stint with the national team.
The Black Stars will take on Canada at the RFK Stadium in Washington DC.
The match will kick off on Tuesday at 7:30pm local time in Washington DC.